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Muscle pain, or myalgia, is usually temporary and not serious, but it can sometimes indicate a more severe underlying condition. Muscle soreness after exercise is normal and is part of the process of building stronger muscles. This is known as Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS), which typically starts 12 to 24 hours after a workout and peaks one to three days later. While rest can help with muscle pain, in some cases, it may worsen stiffness and pain. Muscle pain can also be caused by infections, underlying conditions like arthritis, or a lack of blood flow to the muscles. If muscle pain persists or worsens despite rest, it may be a sign that professional medical attention is required.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Condition | Myalgia or Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) |
| Symptoms | Muscle tightness, tenderness, deep steady ache, random sharp pains, joint stiffness, burning, throbbing, or "grating" sensation |
| Causes | Exercise, strain, infection, underlying conditions (e.g., arthritis, lupus, arteriosclerosis), medication (e.g., statins) |
| Treatment | Rest, warm bath, gentle yoga, low- to moderate-intensity walking, cycling, swimming, medical care if necessary |
| Timing | Starts 12-24 hours after a workout, peaks 1-3 days after, usually eases up after that |
| Prevention | Listen to your body, maintain muscle movement, avoid complete rest unless severe |
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What You'll Learn
Muscle pain after exercise
Muscle soreness after exercise is very common and is known as Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS). It usually sets in 12 to 24 hours after a workout and can last up to 72 hours. The pain typically disappears within a few days and rarely requires medical attention. However, if the pain persists for more than 5 days or gets worse, contact your doctor.
DOMS is caused by damage to muscle cells and connective tissue during resistance or aerobic exercise. This damage results in hypertrophy, or an increase in the size of muscle cells. The repair process can lead to soreness and inflammation. While the exact cause of muscle soreness is unknown, it is not due to lactic acid buildup, as commonly believed.
People with DOMS may experience reduced strength, loss of range of motion, stiffness, swelling, and altered movement patterns. The severity of DOMS depends on the type, duration, and frequency of the exercise. It is more likely to occur after intense or unusual physical activity.
To prevent and manage DOMS, it is important to fuel your body adequately before and after a workout. Protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats are essential for muscle recovery. Staying hydrated is also crucial, as dehydration can intensify and prolong soreness.
Light exercise, massage, and Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) can help reduce the intensity of DOMS. Additionally, active recovery, stretching, and hot or cold therapy can ease the soreness. Using a foam roller can increase blood flow to the muscles and speed up recovery.
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Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)
DOMS is thought to be caused by microscopic tears and temporary muscle damage caused by intense exercise. Eccentric exercises, which involve tensing a muscle while lengthening it, are particularly likely to cause DOMS. For example, the controlled downward motion of straightening your forearm after a bicep curl is an eccentric movement. While any high-intensity exercise can cause DOMS, these eccentric exercises induce micro-injury at a greater frequency and severity than other types of muscle actions.
The severity of DOMS is not related to the extent of exercise-induced muscle damage. Symptoms can range from mild muscle tenderness to severe debilitating pain. It is important to differentiate DOMS from other types of pain and to seek medical care if home care and rest do not relieve the pain.
There are various treatment strategies for DOMS, including rest, massage, heat and cold therapy, compression garments, and essential oils. Implementing recovery strategies after exercises that cause DOMS is vital for preventing and managing the condition and restoring muscular strength and performance levels.
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Musculoskeletal pain
Muscle pain may feel like a deep, steady ache or sharp, random pains. It is usually temporary and not serious, often caused by muscle strain, but it can also be caused by a passing infection or exercise. Chronic diseases can cause ongoing, widespread muscle pain. Bone pain typically feels dull and achy, but a fracture will cause sharper, more intense pain. Joint pain may be constant or come and go, and joints can feel stiff, sore, or experience a burning, throbbing, or "grating" sensation. Tendon and ligament pain is typically worse when the affected area is moved and often feels sharp.
If you are experiencing musculoskeletal pain, you should consult a doctor or therapist for advice and treatment. They may prescribe pain relievers, steroid injections, dry needling, acupuncture, or splints, or refer you for physical therapy, occupational therapy, chiropractic adjustment, or therapeutic massage. You can treat most common types of muscle pain at home with rest and home care, but if the pain does not improve or persists for more than a few days, you should seek professional care. If the pain is interfering with your daily life, it is important to see a doctor for proper treatment to maintain a good quality of life.
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Myalgia
Healthcare providers often classify myalgia as either localized (in one spot) or diffuse (all over). Localized muscle pain or soreness in one spot is often related to an event, such as an injury or recent stress on that muscle group. For example, muscle stress from overuse, including repetitive strain injuries, can cause small tears in the muscles. Traumatic injuries, including sports injuries and accidents, can also result in myalgia. Blunt force can bruise muscles, causing a muscle contusion.
Diffuse, all-over body aches are more likely to be related to a disease or condition affecting the whole body. For instance, myalgia is commonly experienced as body aches with the flu. Other causes of myalgia include the sudden cessation of certain substances, such as high-dose corticosteroids, opioids, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, caffeine, or alcohol.
Most types of muscle pain can be treated at home. Resting the affected body part, taking over-the-counter pain medication, and applying ice within the first 24 to 72 hours can help reduce pain and inflammation. After the initial phase, heat therapy can be soothing. For muscle pain from overuse, massage and gentle stretching exercises may be beneficial. However, if home care does not relieve the myalgia, or if the pain persists or worsens despite rest, it is important to seek medical attention to rule out more serious causes.
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Infections and medication
Muscle pain, or myalgia, can be caused by infections, injuries, medication, or other health issues. It can be temporary or chronic, and either localized or widespread throughout the body. Temporary muscle pain caused by exercise, strain, or a passing infection will usually improve with rest and home care. However, if the pain persists or intensifies, it could be a sign of a more serious issue that requires medical attention and professional care.
Infections that can cause muscle pain include viral and bacterial infections, such as the common cold, influenza, malaria, trichinosis, Lyme disease, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. In rare cases, people with HIV infection can develop long-term viral muscle infections. Additionally, post-infectious reactive myositis can occur during and after some viral infections, causing muscle pain and weakness even after the virus has cleared.
Medications can also cause muscle pain as a side effect. These include statins, fluoroquinolone antibiotics, aromatase inhibitors, Accutane, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, chemotherapy drugs, and radiotherapy. In some cases, muscle pain may be caused by the interaction between two different medications. It is important to note that severe myositis caused by medications is rare. Additionally, withdrawing too quickly from certain medications can also lead to muscle pain.
If you experience muscle pain that does not improve with rest and home care, it is important to seek medical attention, especially if there are other concerning symptoms such as fever, chest pain, muscle weakness, numbness, or loss of bladder control. Your healthcare provider may recommend over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, applying ice or heat to the affected area, compression, or elevation of the affected area. They may also suggest physical therapy or other procedures to treat the underlying condition.
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Frequently asked questions
Muscle pain, or myalgia, can be caused by a number of factors, including exercise, strain, infection, or underlying conditions such as arthritis or lupus. It is usually temporary and not serious, but chronic diseases can cause ongoing, widespread myalgia.
Most types of muscle pain can be treated at home. Rest and home care are often enough to relieve muscle pain. Warm baths, gentle yoga, and low-impact exercises like walking can help ease the pain.
If muscle pain persists for more than a few days or worsens despite rest and home treatment, it could be a sign of a more serious issue. Seek professional care if the pain does not improve or if it interferes with your usual activities.
Depending on the underlying cause, muscle pain can be accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, headaches, memory problems, or a sore throat. In some cases, muscle pain may be a symptom of an infection or a side effect of certain medications.
